Nikon D7000 tips

[Grandpaw]

Each time I purchase a new camera I make an attempt to learn as much about it's different functions as possible and get my monies worth out of the equipment but many people just learn enough to get by and go no further. Due to the fact that my research on line to find tips and information out about the Nikon D7000 didn't turn up much I came up with the idea to write a thread and give other as much information and tips about the D7000 as I could. About once a week another tip is added with the idea that D7000 owners will have a place to go for helpful information and to be able to learn more about their camera. If you have the time you might want to start a thread about your camera so you can help others also, Jeff

The Virtual Horizon on your camera will help you get all your pictures level and eliminate them slanting to the right or left. I thought that the Virtual Horizon only worked in the live mode on the LCD screen. I just figured out that it can show up in the viewfinder if you set it up. As I find out things about my D7000 I will post them here. If you already know what I post just disregard my thread but hopefully maybe some of the things I find out and post will be new to more members than just myself. If you have a tip that you would like to share please feel free to send it to me and I will write it up and add it to the list. I can be contacted by Email or PM by clicking on "Grandpaw" just above my picture on the left hand side of this post, Jeff

NOTE: many of the tips will also work on other Nikon models.

This is how to get the virtual horizon to show up in the viewfinder.
Go to custom settings in menu
F- controls
F3 assign button. I assigned the FN button for this.
Highlight virtual horizon and press OK

At the bottom of the viewfinder the light meter shows over and under exposure. If you press the button you assigned on the camera and the meter will change to the virtual horizon mode. It will look the same as the exposure looked but if you tilt your camera down left or right you will see the effect on the meter at the bottom of your viewfinder. The Virtual Horizon will stay active until you take a picture or your meter times out. I thought the virtual horizon only worked in the live mode with the LCD screen. I found this to be helpful and hope you do also, Jeff

Starting today (April 14th 2012) I will start keeping a list of the different tips here in case you wish to come back and re read a TIP in this thread so it will be easier to locate them. Hope this helps you out, Jeff

COMPLETE LIST OF TIPS
Tip #1 The Virtual Horizon
Tip #2 Nikon built in flash adjustment
Tip #3 Where was the focus point of my picture
Tip #4 Menus driving you nuts My Menu
Tip #5 Manuals hard to understand Digitutor
Tip #6 Saving all your setting for your favorite type of shooting U1 & U2
Tip #7 Reducing noise in your pictures
Tip #8 Need faster FLASH SYNC SPEED than 1/250??
Tip #9 You might consider a battery grip and this is why
Tip #10 Capturing the natural look or mood with photos taken inside by using fill flash
Tip #11 When to use different flash fill modes and what they do
Tip #12 Additional observation or thought for the tip in my post #10
Tip #13 Some reasons to add an external flash to your list of equipment
Tip #14 Ever wish you had access to your camera manual while you were out shooting?
Tip #15 Lighting up the rear LCD display
Tip #16 Easy was to change your ISO setting in aperture mode
Tip #17 Ever need to get your active focus point back to the center quickly?
Tip #18 Nikon ML-L3 wireless remote
Tip #19 Having trouble with the auto focus in low light
Tip #20 Using the auto ISO setting and setting the minimum shutter speed
Tip #21 Discovering blown out areas quickly while you are still shooting so you can correct your mistakes
Tip #22 Getting your own custom look to your pictures
Tip #23 Wanting to compare two or more pictures up close
Tip #24 Customizing your metering system
Tip #25 Adding copyright information to the EXIF data of each of your pictures
Tip #26 Quick check all your settings BEFORE each time you shoot
Tip #27 Getting a custom white balance
Tip #28 Is your camera a pain in the neck?
Tip #29 Viewing your pictures, menus, or info on the rear LCD screen
Tip #30 Saving custom white balance settings
Tip #31 Getting the rear LCD screen to stay on as long as you need it
Tip #32 Another option to navigate menus with, other than the multi selector button
Tip #33 If you use a wide angle lens you may find this tip very helpful
Tip #34 Does part of your pictures disappear when you have enlargements made?
Tip #35 Ever consider trying "Active D Lighting" or "Regular D Lighting"
Tip #36 Getting a custom look to your pictures under many different situations
Tip #37 Resetting your Nikon SB 800 flash back to normal operation
Tip #38 What is the Diopter, where is it and what does it do
Tip #39 Finding a photo on your memory card in the camera
Tip #40 Try converting photos to black and white for a different look & feel
Tip #41 This tip is for people shooting more than one model camera
Tip $42 A simple tip that may save you money and headaches
Tip #43 Setting your camera to take a picture only after focus has been acquired
Tip #44 Beware of UFOs when changing lenses
Tip #45 Sometimes your rear LCD screen lighting up is annoying to others
Tip #46 Sometimes you may not want the flash to fire in AUTO mode
Tip #47 Accidentally shooting without a memory card in the camera
Tip #48 Ever wonder just what a particular menu selection does?
Tip #49 You may find turning on the grid display in the viewfinder helpful
Tip #50 My focus point needs to stay active longer
Tip #51 After a couple of shots my flash quit working
Tip #52 Obtaining FOCUS LOCK and EXPOSURE LOCK separately
Tip #53 Ever have the EV setting seem to change by itself?
Tip #54 Seeing your ISO in the viewfinder
Tip #55 Assigning the role played by the second SD slot
Tip #56 I think I might give the video a try
Tip #57 Getting some help with manual focusing
Tip #58 Be careful adjusting the brightness of the rear LCD screen
Tip #59 Adjusting exposure compensation
Tip #60 Tired of having to hold a button down while turning a dial to make adjustment
Tip #61 Reversing your "-"minus and "+"plus indicators
Tip #62 Quick check list to use before shooting
Tip #63 Using Live View to frame your shot and get correct exposure
Tip #64 Try this when focusing is critical
Tip #65 A very simple but helpful tip when using your tripod
Tip #66 A great book to get on the Nikon D7000
Tip #67 Protecting your rear LCD screen
Tip #68 Selecting a UV filter
Tip #69 Additional AUTO ISO information
Tip #70 My camera just went nuts!!!
Tip #71 Choosing a SD card for your Nikon D7000
Tip #72 Should I have my lens's VR turned on when shooting on a tripod
Tip #73 What would you do if your battery or charger quit working?
Tip #74 My shutter speeds in "M" and "S" modes won't go over 320
Tip #75 Do you find the RED RECORD BUTTON a pain in the neck for movies?
Tip #76 Updating to the latest firmware in your D7000 camera
Tip #77 Setting White Balance for "Sunrise" and "Sunset" pictures
Tip #78 Copy images from one SD card to another within your camera
Tip #79 Are you having trouble keeping your horizons level?
Tip #80 Are you having trouble with dust spots in your pictures?
Tip #81 Why or why not turn the audible beep to "ON" for Autofocus
Tip #82 Increasing your percentage of keepers when shooting
Tip #83 Why doesn't my D7000 give me pictures like I see in the sample galleries
Tip #84 My tripod and camera is setup but where is my remote
Tip #85 Getting great pictures of your kids on rides at attractions
Tip #86 Things I learned about shooting video while on vacation
Tip #87 Do's and Don'ts when taking a video of Christmas displays
Tip #88 I get my focus lock but my shutter button doesn't work
Tip #89 My pictures are all foggy, what is going on?
Tip #90 Start using your speedlite as a remote flash
Tip #91 Its time to update your copyright info in your cameras EXIF data Tip #92 Shooting photos from a vehicle
Tip #92 Shooting photos from a vehicle
Tip #93 A quick and easy way to format your SD cards
Tip #94 The effects of Depth of Field using different focal length lenses
Tip #95 Do you know when to use the "Normal" and "Active" position on a VR lens?
Tip #96 Learning from other photographers camera settings.
Tip #97 Needing a copyright symbol for your watermark
Tip #98 A few more reasons to have an umbrella available when out shooting.
Tip #99 Why I shoot single point focus point
Tip #100 Looking at things a little different might give you better results